Latest articles by Ruth Emery
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How to set up a pension if you're self-employed
Features Three-quarters of self-employed workers are not paying into a pension, meaning millions of people could be woefully unprepared for retirement. We explain the different pension options and reveal the best providers
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How many ISAs can I have?
New ISA rules mean savers can open and pay into multiple ISAs of the same type. But is this change available to everyone? We look at how many ISAs you can have in the current tax year
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Is now a good time to buy a house?
With mortgage rates falling, now could be a good time to buy a house
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150 banking hubs now open across UK – is there one near you?
As the 150th banking hub opens its doors, a Post Office deal that offers basic banking services has also been extended until 2030. We explain what this means for you
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Key money dates for 2025
We run through the key dates and big money changes coming up this year that could affect your financial health
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How you could cut your inheritance tax bill by £37,000
Regular gifting can reduce your inheritance tax bill by tens of thousands of pounds, new calculations show. We explain how the rules work.
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‘I installed a heat pump in my home – here are five things I’ve learnt’
From the size and noise of a heat pump to how much it costs to run one, Ruth Emery reveals what she’s learnt after installing one in her home six months ago
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What is the pensions dashboard?
Touted as a game-changer in how we manage our savings, the pensions dashboard initiative has been plagued by delays. So, what is it and when will it launch?
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Which investments can I hold in a stocks and shares ISA – and which ones are banned?
HMRC has a list stating which investments are allowed in ISAs, but sometimes investors, and even ISA providers, get confused by the rules. Here’s what you need to know when picking your investments.
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Investment platforms: how to avoid sub 2% interest rates on cash holdings and secure a better deal
Do you know how much interest the cash balance in your investment portfolio, ISA or Sipp earns? We lift the lid on the best and worst interest-payers – and explain what you can do about it
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Trump's first 100 days: investment winners and losers
Donald Trump triggered a rollercoaster on the stock markets during the first 100 days of his second presidency. We look at which funds, investment trusts and sectors have performed best and worst
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300,000 households at risk of losing hot water and heating as meter deadline looms – are you affected?
Households with Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters are at risk of losing hot water and heating when their electricity meters switch off from 30 June. We explain how to tell if you have an RTS meter and what you can do
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Millions are being hit by ‘significant stealth tax’ – will you have to pay more to HMRC?
A staggering 17.9 million people look set to start paying basic-rate income tax, while 12 million may be dragged into the higher-rate band, by 2027/28. We explain what fiscal drag is and how you can prepare
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What is capital gains tax and how does it work?
The government raked in £13 billion from capital gains tax in 2024/25. But how does the tax work, and when do you pay it?
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What is the state pension triple lock?
The UK state pension triple lock is loved by pensioners but hated by economists. But what is the triple lock – and what does its future hold?
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Can I shield my ISAs from inheritance tax?
Many investors and savers will be wondering if there’s anything they can do to protect their ISAs from inheritance tax, especially as pensions will become liable for the levy from April 2027. We reveal the options available to ISA customers
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Hargreaves Lansdown slashes fees for ISA and SIPP investors - how does it compare to other providers?
Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK’s biggest investment platform, has dropped its fees by 40%, to their lowest ever level, for certain customers. Is it a good deal, and how does it compare to other providers?
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State pension rises, but more pensioners face being taxed
The state pension has increased thanks to the triple lock, but frozen tax bands means more pensioners will start to pay tax.
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Best-performing funds and investment trusts for stocks and shares ISAs of all time
As ISAs celebrate their 26th birthday, we reveal the best-performing funds and investment trusts since stocks and shares ISAs launched in April 1999, and how much they would be worth today
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How much should I pay into a pension?
One of the trickiest parts of retirement planning is working out how much to pay into a pension. We explore what to consider when deciding how much to contribute
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State pension top-up: HMRC to contact thousands of people following 5 April deadline error
News Thousands of customers were unable to fill gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record and boost their state pension on Saturday, as HMRC incorrectly said the deadline had passed
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Review: Constance Lemuria and Ephelia – two Indian Ocean idylls
Ruth Emery visits Constance Lemuria and Constance Ephelia in the Seychelles for sun, sea and some of the best sushi she has ever had
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Beware the savings tax trap: 2 million savers face paying tax on their interest
Advice Millions of people will pay tax on their cash savings in 2024/25, up from about 650,000 three years ago. We outline clever ways to shelter your cash from the taxman
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Chase will change cashback deal on Monday - what it means for you
Chase Bank is making its cashback deal less generous from 7 April. We explain what’s changing
